National Trading Standards, e-Crime Team - 'The Owl and the Copycat'

Bogus websites dressed as legitimate government services use their privileged search positions to manipulate and con their victims in their thousands. The National Trading Standards eCrime Team wanted to raise awareness of the many scams that happen on a daily basis online.

The Agency created “The Owl and the Copycat”, inspired by the 1871 children’s classic poem “The Owl and the Pussycat.” 2D animation within a 3D space gives the film depth as the camera pans from scene to scene. Subtle storybook sound effects, the ‘mischievous’ voiceover and a gently menacing soundtrack build on the strength of the warning.

The Owl and the Copycat reached one million people on extensive social media sharing and a further five million on TV, radio and press with national coverage from The Independent, BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio Five Live etc.